Thursday, February 28, 2008

Excuse me........... I've been painting. One of the things (gifts?) I bring to the BBP studio is my talent and desire to paint, stencil, faux paint, etc. I've been planning the walls for some time and they have been a rather slow work in progress. Just yesterday I finished the stripe down one of the walls, it looks so great! The color is "Fudge Bar" but that is just an all out lie! If your fudge bar looked like that color you would not eat it. So I'd say it is more like a toffee-ish brown, lighter than milk chocolate even. Trust me, it looks great. Then came the fleur d'lis...... wonderful! I hand-cut a stencil, which took far more time than I wanted it too and made me realize yet again, I need a raise!

Regardless, I'm pooped so what should make me smile than yet more fun from the web! :)What year do YOU belong in???

You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

The day might be very chilly, gray and wintery with a mix of snow and rain but all of us at BBP are feeling warm and wonderful as we welcome Kelly & Greg to the wedding family! Kelly is one of our many out of town brides, she currently lives in Englewood Colorado and will get married in Lake St. Louis this May.

We're absolutely thrilled to have you both and look forward to a long relationship!

Monday, February 25, 2008

Last night was the Academy Awards in Hollywood, that means it must be time for the annual dishing of the Red Carpet!! Red dresses were the big buzz on the red carpet, it's my favorite color so I loved them all. Well, almost all.

You pretty much have to start off with George Clooney who always looks really and truly great. Grooms....... you should look this good when you are George's age. No kidding

Renee Zellweger. Ahem. The dress was okay----- although I found it a bit blah with all of the strong colors and designer vavoom on the red carpet. And she was just too doggone thin, wayyyyy to thin. Yes, I do believe there is such a thing! What really got me was the hair. What WAS she thinking? Mussy has it's place, many of the stars had hair that was definitely far from hair spray perfect! She just didn't make it work, just my opinion -- I could be wrong!

Heidi Klum in Galliano------ what a gorgeous dress! Her hair was stunning, the gown was wonderful, she just looked really great! She and hubby Seal looked absolutely fabulous on the red carpet----- regal even! Heidi is donating her dress and you can enter to win it HERE.

If you don't lovelove love loooooooooooove Diablo Cody and HER story, you are sleeping at the wheel! Nevermind that she is a former stripper, nevermind that eye popping tattoo, her earrings were tres chic and that leopard dress? Only Diablo could have pulled it off. (We won't mention that walking up the stairs to the stage as well as exiting after accepting her award was less than glamorous--- yikes!) Once again, talent rules and being less than the 'normal' beauty can indeed work. (Note to Nell: No, you can't have this tattoo. I'm serious.)

And our own red carpet bride? Karyn of course! That's Karyn below with her new husband Darin. Why get married in a white gown when you can be resplendent in a blue Nicole Miller cocktail dress? Absolutely! We were all very excited that they are the Y98 wedding of the week featured on the St. Louis Best Bridal website, you can read their story HERE.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

The total lunar eclipse last night was absolutely magical! Here in St. Louis, the skies were clear and the viewing was quite perfect. I kept popping outside, the sight of me in my flannel nightgown and fur coat was more than likely a sight and a half--- but it was so worth it. I can't remember an eclipse that I saw more clearly and enjoyed more. Breathtaking! Bobbi reports that she did not have to go outside but could view the entire solar spectacle by looking out her dining room window where she had an onobstructed view of splendor! She futz's that she didn't have the lens she really wanted for the shot above, but I think it is quite nice. May I assure you that it is a whole heckuva lot finer than the photo taken with my camera phone! :)

Speaking of splendor, there is just nothing more spendiferous than new shoes.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

We have wonderful clients, outstanding brides but we don't say nearly often enough that we love our grooms too!

They might start out our relationship together with less than enthusiastic responses for having their photo taken, but by the time we get to the wedding day------ they are fully on board!

We tell our brides that when it comes to getting their fiance to enjoy being photographed, we do have a few tips:

try to have more than one engagement session scheduled

let him choose his own 'look'--- unless it is holey cut-off jeans and a nasty t-shirt!

work around HIS schedule

let him pick his favorite photos from the session and have a few made for his desk and/or wallet

make sure that the sessions are FUN

How about a destination? We always suggest coming to see us and then going to one of the great local restaurants or pubs in the area

do not be afraid to mention that the studio is located a few doors down from Square One Brewery! Beer is a great equalizer!

I don't know why it is that women like having their photos taken more than guys... but it just is. Regardless, we love our grooms and always enjoy the fact that by the time we arrive at the wedding day, it is all......... well, it is a piece of cake! :)

The wedding show last Sunday at the Hilton Frontenac was great and we enjoyed meeting lots of brides and grooms very much! It was especially nice to meet Lucie, the new Editor as she is just a hoot! Thanks so much to all of you who stopped to chat, we're looking forward to meeting you in the studio very soon---- I promise it will be a lot more relaxing!

Friday, February 15, 2008

We're all thinking about the weekend because it is a Big Bridal Show Weekend! Sunday will find us at the Hilton in Frontenac for the show there and we are looking forward to it!

Brides----- don't miss this one, the Hilton is always an excellent show venue and Best Bridal does an excellent job as well.

If you are coming to the show, please stop by and say hello! We'll have some new goodies to show and share!

Until then----- enjoy the rest of the Valentine's Day chocolates (assuming there are any leftovers!) and stretch that lovin' feelin' right into the weekend.

The photo above is of Katie and her bridesmaids----- she is just so sweet! She makes me think of all of our recent brides who enjoyed their first MARRIED Valentine's Day yesterday. How great is that??????? Ladies, I hope there was jewelry and chocolate!

Thanks as well to all of the calls and emails that keep coming in expressing concern and offering prayers for Bobbi's Mom. She is doing very well and quite frankly is pretty darn feisty to hear it told! I think that when a patient gets feisty (read cranky) that means that they must be feeling much better! (Not that it makes it easier for the family, that's for sure!)

Thursday, February 14, 2008

On the day we ring all the bells and blow all the whistles for LOVE----- we send a virtual yummy to all of our clients past, present and future! May your day (today and all) be filled with love in abundance!

For all of our wonderful clients who have emailed and called asking about Bobbi's Mom, thank you so much, they both appreciate it. Jeanetta is recovering nicely and resting comfortably. The hardest thing will be to keep her in the Queenly state to which she has become more than a little accustomed!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

It is certainly the little bits of life that make things perk along---- or big things depending on how you look at it. Living a good quality of life with the relative absence of pain is at the top of the list. Bobbi's Mom Jeanetta is in the hospital recovering from knee replacement surgery---- or a revisiting of her first double replacement to be more accurate. She had been having quite a bit of pain and trouble getting around. As many of our clients know Jeanetta is very vital and active, lives alone and loves to get out as much as possible and even looks forward to mowing her own lawn! The time had come to take care of the pain.

She has come through her surgery successfully and is now working towards recovery and will be in the hospital for a few more days.

Obviously Bobbi is with her Mother at the hospital as well as trying to get some work accomplished in between. If you need to contact BBP please be understanding if it takes us a tiny bit more time to get back to you.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

The BBP Wedding Family has grown again! Colleen and Scott. we warmly welcome you into our happy band of brides, grooms and their extended families---- we are so pleased to have you and are so very much looking forward to capturing your wedding with "Images from the Heart..." The time will absolutely fly until next January! Our winter brides will tell you that they all seem to have a bit of unfair time thief because of the holidays. But then again, there isn't a bride out there that will tell you how quickly the time rushes by when you are planning your wedding.

Y'know, Valentine's Day is COMING!!!!! And soon! I have a little treat for you....

Homemade Toasted Coconut Haystacks! YUM! And the best part is that they are easy peasy. There is nothing like making a delicious little treat with your own hands for your Valentine, friends and family. I have to say, they are not QUITE as good as the ones from that shishi store in town ---- but they are pretty close!

Toasted Coconut Haystacks

1 bag Angel Flake Coconut

1 bag good quality chocolate chips--- I used semi sweet

Gulf Wax (available near the canning section)

parchment paper

On a large, flat baking dish lined with aluminum foil, sprinkle the coconut in a thin layer. Broil about 8 inches away from the element and WATCH CLOSELY. Toss the coconut as soon as it begins to brown. This takes a bit of time to keep moving the coconut so it does not burn, and all of it gets nice and lightly brown and crisp. You want it to crisp up but not get completely brown through, it should have crunch but still have a nice coconutty taste. Let cool.

In a double-boiler, place the chocolate chips and just slightly less than 1/4 of a sheet of the paraffin. Let it melt together over the simmering water. Remove the chocolate from the hot water and let it sit for just a few minutes until it just begins to thicken a bit. Add in the coconut and stir carefully, incorporating all of the chocolate.

Using two spoons or a tiny ice cream scoop (sprayed with cooking spray) drop the candy onto parchment paper.

Allow to set up (if you can) and it is ready to taste!

ENJOY----- and start getting ready for the day we celebrate LOVE, it is 5 days away!

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Thursday------ can you believe it? I don't know what happened to the week, much less that the first week of February is gone!

So, in honor of Thursday, at the end of the first week of February------ when my desk is piled high and I should be doing something, I'm taking a moment to read my beloved Blog roll (which I adore, I am a blog freak and have a very eclectic list) I found the following quiz. Now, I don't usually participate in this sort of thing........... it must mean that it is cold and gray and I'm tired. Or something. But because I am in the mood to procrastinate I thought I'd take everyone at the studio today down with me! :)

What time am I? Besides wishing that it were time to be home in my jammies watching tv, hanging out and eating pepperoni pizza with extra cheese? Well see below!

You are the moment when the last bell rings and school lets out for the day. You are resistant to schedules and obligations, so you love feeling like you're in control of your life again. You are the very moment when the second hand hits the 12, and the halls fill with noise and motion. Even if your after-school time is packed with activities, lessons, or a job, somehow, you just feel freer in the late afternoon than you do earlier in the day. Maybe it's all that blue sky and afternoon sunshine? Nah -- even on rainy days, 3:15 is always a beautiful time.

I don't think that sounds much like me actually -- unless you figure that I really am at my best when it's quiet and I'm knitting! Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh................

20% of the people who took this quiz got the same evaluation.

This was how Bobbi clocked in (ha) for the What Time Are You Quiz:

You are breakfasty, like a pile of pancakes on a Sunday morning that have just the right amount of syrup, so every bite is sweet perfection and not a soppy mess. You are a glass of orange juice that's cool, refreshing, and not overly pulpy. You are the time of day that's just right for turning the pages of a newspaper, flipping through channels, or clicking around online to get a sense of how the world changed during the night. You don't want to stumble sleepily through life, so you make a real effort to wake your brain up and get it thinking. You feel inspired to accomplish things (whether it's checking something off your to-do list or changing the world), but there's plenty of time for making things happen later in the day. First, pancakes.She's pretty driven and intense-------- so the inspired to accomplish things certainly clicks. And if you have ever dined with her, you know she is pretty persnickety.

Danielle's time of day is 11:59........... lunchtime, how appropriate! :)

You are late-sleepy relaxation, the half-awake moment when you realize it's morning, but you don't have to get up, because there's no place you have to be. You are that cozy spot under the covers where everything feels temporarily perfect, even if you know you'll eventually have to wiggle out and start the day. Maybe you're the artistic type, who doesn't function well on a normal schedule. Sleep's important to you, and you like the freedom of sleeping as late as you want (especially since that is closely related to the freedom to stay up as late as you want). You like to roll out of bed, put on some comfy clothes, and get a laid back start to the day. If not everything on your list gets accomplished, no worries. Your only priority is having no priorities – you just want to take things at a slow, mellow pace. Definitely the artsy fartsy type but slow and mellow? I don't think so!!! No one is busier and runs a tighter ship than Nell does!!

Personally, I think it is almost time for lunch! Time to call a few brides, Time to get some work done.

Monday, February 04, 2008

What a joyful kickoff to the 2008 wedding season in St. Louis! We were absolutely blessed to photograph the wedding of Karyn & Darin Saturday night. Karyn and her great kids have been in front of Bobbi's lens since the kids were very small and it gave us enormous pleasure to have been part of her marriage to Darin--- who is as it turns out, a wonderful man. We all wish them every joy and blessing!

The wedding was an intimate gathering of family with their children standing up for them, it was very touching. After the ceremony at the Whittemore House, they were joined by friends to enjoy cocktails and h'ors d'oeuvres provided by Catering St. Louis.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

The floats are staging in the parking lot across from the studio this morning and the shuttles are running from our favorite Square One Brewery a few doors down. After all, it is a short and straight shot down to Soulard from Lafayette Square.

"Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez"

Absolutely! The best part is always watching the party goers come back to pick up their cars! Unfortunately we won't be there when that happens as today we have the honor and privilege of photographing Karyn's wedding!!!!!! It will be the most glorious celebration of love and happiness!

More photos from the marathon snow sessions yesterday. Many of our wedding couples have BBP's Seasons of Love engagement sessions to enjoy. The images from these seasonal sessions end up in a beautiful guest book on their special day---- no cheesy books to sign for our couples! The snow photos are always the most fun of those we offer, due to the generosity of Mother Nature.

It is so funny to see our sometimes reserved clients using permission to act like grade schoolers! I laughed myself silly!

Happy Mardi Gras! Stay warm and have fun! Life is all about the fun y'know!

Friday, February 01, 2008

Oh yeah, absolutely nothing in the world says love like a firm, round, superhard snowball!!! Packed with love and a somewhat evil grin if the truth be told!

8 inches of snow baby---- more snow than this Florida/Hawaii girl has seen in a long time! And as the snow removal expert, okay the only living being with the power and wherewithal to shovel---- I was up bright and early digging out. And digging. Living in the city means that the streets are horrible but the main arteries are passable. Sort of.

What does a wedding photographer do on the type of day when many are taking snow days, staying in with tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, or at least going in late to work? Yup, engagement photos! We did get in a session late in 2007 but it wasn't this kind of humongo snow! Our clients have been excited since the forecast started coming------ and as the sessions materialized the plotting began.

One of our grooms to be Chris got out of his car and started packing the snowball. You know without a doubt that the gauntlet has been thrown down! I knew that Chrissie would give as good as she got!

What fun!!! A bride and groom a thon and tons of snow! It was GREAT!

Not as great and perhaps as much fun as a dirty martini and a roaring fire, perhaps some raclette and a nice sourdough............. but it was a blast.